Andrew Cuomo unveils portrait of his father in Hall of Governors

New York's current governor unveiled a portrait of his father this Father's Day Weekend.

Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled a portrait of his father in the Hall of Governors this Father's Day weekend. Credit: Governor Andrew Cuomo's Office

Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled Saturday a portrait of his father, former Governor Mario Cuomo, now hanging in the State Capital's Hill of Governors gubernatorial portrait gallery.

"Governor Mario Cuomo was not just one of our state's greatest governors, but a father that instilled in me the values of public service, hard work, and commitment to making our state a better place," the governor said. "I can think of no better way to celebrate my dad on his birthday this Father's Day weekend.

The artist, Simmie Knox, also painted the official White House portraits of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

The portrait is based on a 1989 photograph of the elder Cuomo. According to the New York Daily News, the former governor had refused to sit for an official portrait on the grounds that it was too pretentious.

But friends and family reportedly conspired to make the portrait happen, providing Knox with the photo.

"For us, this is like putting the cherry on the cake, and Pop, you are the cherry," the younger Cuomo reportedly said at the unveiling.

Mario Cuomo was New York's 52nd governor. A vocal opponent of the death penalty, he vetoed death penalty bills 12 times. Saturday was his 81st birthday, the News said.